Public access television stations have been a cornerstone of cable for decades. They televise civic meetings and school sports, and provide a soapbox for political debate. But now, a proposed Federal Communications Commission rule could put public access out of business.

On this week’s edition of Beat the Press, Emily Rooney was joined by Dan Kennedy of Northeastern University, Callie Crossley of WGBH News, former NECN anchor Mike Nikitas and former CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian.